These patterns combine two or more rules in a single deduction. They take practice to spot, but once you internalize them they unlock cells that basic patterns can’t reach.
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Cushion. When 2 of a symbol are placed, check whether placing a third in a specific empty cell would force 3 consecutive of the other symbol. If so, that cell must be the opposite.
Example:
If cell 2 were , cells 3, 4, 5 would all be . Three in a row. So cell 2 must be . Symmetric reasoning forces cell 5 to be as well.
Example:
If cell 6 were , cells 2, 3, 4 would all be . Three in a row. So cell 6 must be .
Example:
If cell 6 were , cells 3, 4, 5 would all be . Three in a row. So cell 6 must be . Cell 3 must be , too (Bookends pattern).
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Tally. Each
×pair contributes exactly one sun and one moon. Count the guaranteed symbols from all pairs, then fill the remaining cells by equal counts.Example:
Two
×pairs contribute two suns and two moons. Cell 5 is , so that’s 3 suns accounted for. Cell 6 must be .Example:
One
×pair contributes one sun and one moon. Cells 2 and 5 are , so that’s 3 suns accounted for. Cells 1 and 6 must both be . -
Linked Flip. An
=pair next to a known symbol must be the opposite. If the pair matched it, you’d have three in a row.Example:
If the
=pair were both , that’s three moons in a row. So they must be , forcing cell 5 to be (Bookends pattern). -
Linked Sweep. An
=pair counts as two cells of the same symbol. If 2 of a symbol are already placed, the pair being that symbol would give 4. So the pair must be the opposite. This often completes the count of 3, letting sweep fill the rest.Example:
2 moons are placed. If the
=pair were both , that’s 4 moons. So the pair is =. Now 3 suns are placed, so cell 3 is by sweep.